Taste Washington grows attendance by 15 percent

The two-day Grand Tasting at Taste Washington 2018 attracted a record attendance of 6,750 wine lovers and 239 featured wineries. (Photo by Richard Duval Images)

SEATTLE — Taste Washington broke several records this spring, highlighted by overall attendance of 8,202 to cement its status as the largest single-region wine and food festival in the United States.

The 21st year of Taste Washington grew its total attendance by 15 percent as this year’s Grand Tasting drew 6,750 wine lovers, an increase of nearly 1,000 for the two-day pouring. The Washington State Wine Commission collaborations on the festival with Visit Seattle, the official destination marketing organization for Seattle and King County

“Taste Washington represents the best of what makes this region so unique – a creative culture that celebrates the amazing wine, food and music woven into our culture,” Tom Norwalk, President & CEO of Visit Seattle, said in a statement. “We are truly inspired by the record turn-out for our 21st year.”

A record 239 wineries pour at Taste Washington

Taste Washington organizers reported that several participation records were set in 2018. (Chart courtesy of Visit Seattle)

There were 239 wineries to pour at the CenturyLink Field Event Center, a bump of 14 from the prior year. The number of wines served during the four days reached 975, a rise of 9 percent.

Organizers successfully stretched out several days, which saw weekend morning events attracting interest. Several of the events sold out in advance, including the Saturday Taste & Savor Tour at Pike Place Market and a number of the Washington State Wine Seminars. The Sunday Brunch event at Quality Athletics was new, and organizers worked to blend live music throughout the weekend. Acts included Seattle-based singer/songwriter Kris Orlowski and Los Angeles synth-pop duo Man Made Time.

The New Vintage event on Friday showcased 60 wineries and added the Rosé Lounge.

Celebrity chefs add star power to Taste Washington

And while the number of restaurants participating at during the Grand Tasting remained at 65, Taste Washington recruited a star-studded lineup of chefs. The Alaska Mileage Plan Chef’s Stage, where Thierry “Chef in the Hat” Rautureau served as the master of ceremonies, included double-crowned James Beard Award winner Edouardo Jordan of Junebaby, Southern California celebrity chef Brooke Williamson and restaurateur Jason Wilson of Fire & Vine Hospitality.

Dates for 2019 Taste Washington are expected to be announced by Aug. 1. The festival is promoted as the highlight of Washington Wine Month, which will come to a close in 2019 on Sunday, March 31.

About Eric Degerman

Eric Degerman is the president and CEO of Great Northwest Wine. He is a journalist with more than 30 years of daily newspaper experience and has been writing about wine since 1998. He co-founded Wine Press Northwest with Andy Perdue and served as its managing editor for 15 years. He is a frequent wine judge along the West Coast and contributor to Pacific Northwest Golfer magazine, the region's longest-running golf publication.